Messi named European Footballer of the Year

Posted by Admin in Football News on December 1st, 2009

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has beaten off competition from Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo to land the European Footballer of the Year award (Ballon d’Or).

The Argentine international was given by jurors (football journalists) 473 points while ex-Manchester United star Ronaldo only received 233.

Messi said: “I’m happy to have won, and on top of it all by a wide majority.

“It is beautiful to win it this way.”

Ronaldo set to complete Real Madrid move

Posted by Admin in Football Transfer News on June 26th, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid is set to be completed next week after the Portuguese winger agreed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants.

Real said in a statement on their official website: “Real Madrid CF and Manchester United have signed the definitive agreement for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club on 1 July.”

Ferguson wants Ronaldo to end career at Manchester United

Posted by Admin in Football News on August 8th, 2008

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes that Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new deal to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

The Scot said: “Cristiano will now settle down and enjoy his career here.

“He has four years left on his contract and, hopefully, at some point, we would like to extend it.

“I can’t deny it was an important issue to keep him here.

“There are very few players who have left me against my will and it is unusual for anybody to want to leave United.

“I think Cristiano realises that. We had a good meeting in Portugal that clarified a lot of things.

“It was good and I was pleased with it, and that’s why I felt everything was going to be all right.

“He is happy to be a Manchester United player and he has always been happy here.

“It’s just the unfortunate participation of Real Madrid in the player’s life that has made it difficult for him.

“The important thing is that we have ended all the stuff about Real and as he gets older, he will appreciate being here more.

“That happens with players the longer they stay here and they don’t want to leave.”

He added: “After the meeting I had with Cristiano, when I explained the situation and what we expect of players from Manchester United, he’s already said he’s delighted to be back here, so to say that he’s here reluctantly is not the case.

“When we had the meeting the lad quickly agreed with me, so I have no issues whatsoever with him.

“He’ll be OK, he’ll do his best, he’ll be a great player this season because he’s still improving. He’ll be absolutely fantastic for us.

“Everyone said last season that he wouldn’t score more than the 23 goals he scored in the previous campaign. I don’t think anyone thought he could do better than that and I said he would.

“I expected him to improve and I expect him to improve again this season. Of course, we’re at a different level – 42 goals against 23 goals is completely different – so if he gets to 41 goals I think we’ll forgive him.”

Manchester United winger confirms stay

Posted by Admin in Football Transfer News on August 6th, 2008

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he’ll be staying at Old Trafford – for at least one more season.

Ronaldo said: “Yes, I’m going to stay at Manchester United. I will stay at least for this season.

“[Sir Alex] Ferguson heard my reasons, I heard his and we had an agreement that the best solution for both parties would be if I stay.

“Therefore, I can confirm that next season I will play at Manchester United.”

He continued: “Before there are any rumours that I might stay against my will, I want to clear this up right now – whoever says or writes that is lying.

“I’ll play for Manchester United with my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with all the commitment and dedication I’ve always had.”

The Portuguese international accepted responsibility for the animosity between United and Real Madrid.

He said: “I want to say that I was the one who was most responsible for this whole controversy.

“It wasn’t their fault because I was the one who showed in public my will to move to Real Madrid.

“I also ended up, even though it wasn’t my intention, the one responsible for all the problems between the two clubs.”

He added: “I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they allegedly made a very high bid to Manchester United.

“My desire was, for a while, for Manchester to accept, to sell me to Madrid. To say the opposite would be cheating people and my own conscience.

“I do want to play there one day and my ambition to go there remains the same.”

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